Durability Property of Oil-Palm-Boiler Clinker Lightweight Concrete Based on Water Absorption Test

Abstract

Utilizing waste material in the construction industry is an effective way to protect the environment and minimize construction cost. Oil-palm-boiler clinker (OPBC) is a waste material obtained by the burning off solid wastes of the palm oil industry during the process of palm oil extraction. This study presents an investigation on the use of OPBC as coarse aggregate in a grade 40 conventional concrete when normal coarse aggregate was fully substituted (by volume) with this porous and lightweight aggregate. Workability of concrete was assessed based on slump test. The development of compressive strength up to 56 days as well as initial and final water absorption were measured. Test results showed that full substitution of normal coarse aggregate with OPBC reduced workability, compressive strength and density of the concrete. However, OPBC concrete has still good workability for casting and also practical favorable 28-day compressive strength. Water absorption test results revealed that OPBC concrete could be considered as good quality concrete in term of durability property.